Psoriasis is a common, chronic skin disease that is characterized by sharply demarcated, silvery plaques on the body. The cause of psoriasis is multifactorial, including genetics and environmental triggers, such as infections, medications, and medical comorbidities, amongst others.

What are the variants of psoriasis?

• Plaque psoriasis – The most common type, characterized by silvery plaques usually along the elbows, knees, and scalp.
• Guttate psoriasis – Usually seen in younger patients and often occurs after a strep throat infection.
• Inverse psoriasis – Affects the skinfolds such as the armpits, groin, and buttocks.
• Pustular psoriasis
• Erythrodermic psoriasis
• Nail psoriasis
• Psoriatic arthritis

Does psoriasis just affect the skin?

Psoriasis can affect more than just the skin, including your joints, termed psoriatic arthritis. In addition, patients with psoriasis are at higher risk for having diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and for more serious sequelae such as heart attacks and strokes. Conversely, weight loss, dietary changes and alcohol reduction may improve psoriasis.

How is psoriasis treated?

Fortunately, there are many new and effective treatments for psoriasis. Mild cases of psoriasis are treated with topical therapies/creams. For more extensive disease, systemic treatments can be used, including:

Oral medications such as Otezla or Methotrexate
Biologics/Injectables such as Humira, Stelara, Cosentyx, Skyrizi and others.